Featured Artists for the 58th Annual L.A. County Holiday Celebration
The Citrus Singers
This prestigious 45 member troupe has opened the Rose Parade, appeared at Super Bowl XII and provided entertainment at some of Hawaii’s finest resorts including the Hilton Hawaiian Village and the Sheridan Waikiki. The troupe has performed with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, sung with Melissa Manchester, entertained past presidents and foreign dignitaries and appeared in classical choral festivals and concerts throughout much of the world including in Germany, the Czech Republic, China, Scandinavia, Japan, Russia, South America, Italy, France, Austria, Spain and Great Brittan, The Citrus Singers has the distinction of being the only American choir to win the International Choral Festival in Spittal, Austria.
City Ballet of Los Angeles
The City Ballet of Los Angeles provides Los Angeles with its own ballet company that is unique and representative of this multicultural community. The Company presents work that is a mixture of classical and contemporary dance theater, examining non traditional themes and blending music from all over the world. In keeping with the tradition of classical dance, City Ballet of Los Angeles is preserving the standards of excellence in its presentation of the art of dance.
The Colburn Children's Choir
The Colburn Children's Choir and the Young Men's Chorus are the advanced vocal ensembles of Colburn School of Performing Arts. The groups, dedicated to study and performance of outstanding choral music, regularly perform at Zipper Hall and other venues in the Los Angeles area, collaborate with artists and performing arts organizations, participate in music festivals and appear in special events and programs. The choirs tours regularly, with past performances in Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom.
Daniel Ho
Daniel Ho's simple philosophy of presenting music with sincerity and artistry encompasses six consecutive GRAMMY Awards, number-one albums on national airplay charts and top-10 albums on Billboard. In 2010, his solo 'ukulele CD, Polani (Pure), was the first 'ukulele album in music history to receive a GRAMMY nomination. On piano the following year, he received a nomination for Best Pop Instrumental Album for his CD, E Kahe Malie (Flowing Gently). Ho’s album On A Gentle Island Breeze was nominated for a GRAMMY in the World Music category.
A Honolulu native, Daniel started music lessons at an early age and spent his teenage years orchestrating big band arrangements. At the Grove School of Music in Los Angeles, he excelled in composition and film scoring. He was the leader and keyboardist of the acclaimed '90s contemporary jazz band, Kilauea.
Ho performs original songs in English and Hawaiian that feature his versatility on 'ukulele, slack key guitar and piano. Notable credits include singing Prince's Nothing Compares 2 U in Hawaiian, for the feature film Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008), and his widely covered `ukulele instrumental anthem, Pineapple Mango. As an independent record company owner, he pursues excellence in composition, performance, audio engineering, and production.
Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles
Now in its 39th Season, Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles (GMCLA) has built an international reputation for musical excellence while remaining deeply rooted in service to the community. Hailed as “a jewel in the crown of Los Angeles,” GMCLA now has over 250 singing members. The group has toured internationally, released 14 albums, commissioned over 300 new works and arrangements and appear frequently on film and national TV, including the Academy Awards. Chorus members donate 60,000 volunteer hours annually to make their mission of musical excellence and community partnership a reality. They have performed for two sitting US Presidents and with many award-winning guests. GMCLA’s groundbreaking youth outreach programs include Alive Music Project (AMP) and the original musical it gets better (currently on a US tour).
Harmonic Bronze
Harmonic Bronze is a youth handbell group representing the communities of Acton and Agua Dulce and the Acton-Agua Dulce Unified School District. Members range from 11 - 20 year old. Their primary group goal is to be ambassadors of music. They view themselves as musical servants for their local communities.
Immaculate Heart of Mary and Precious Blood School Children’s Choir
The Immaculate Heart of Mary and Precious Blood School Children’s Choir are comprised of second - eighth grade students from the Immaculate Heart of Mary and Precious Blood School, under the Catholic School system of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Both choirs were founded by its artistic director, Cristopher “Pete” Avendano. They are members of the American Federation of Pueri Cantores. In December of 2015, members of the choirs went to sing for the International Congress of Pueri Cantores in Rome, Italy, where they also sang for a mass celebrated by Pope Francis in St. Peters Basilica in the Vatican. The choir has performed numerously with The Filipino American Symphony Orchestra. With an arsenal of multilingual and multi-genre repertoire, this dynamic youth ensemble also performs in concerts, various local festivals, conventions and humanitarian performances to further enrich its musical journey.
JC Culture Foundation
JC Culture Foundation is a 501C (3) non-profit and art educational organization, which provides training opportunities for Chinese culture activities and focuses on the performance and promotion of those activities. In 2013, with support from ACTA's Development Program, JC Culture Foundation conducted a mentorship with master artist Corey Chan to train and enhance the skills and knowledge of the company's lion dance troupe.
Jung Im Lee Korean Dance Academy
Acting as Korean cultural ambassadors, The Korean Dance Academy provides an opportunity for students to not only learn dance, but also to learn more about Korean heritage. The group participates in various events in its neighboring communities and schools within Los Angeles County. The Academy actively participates in community events and functions. With this participation, it hopes to share with the public more about Korean culture and the art of dancing.
KAYPA
KAYPA, Korean American Youth Performing Artists, is a non-profit organization under the direction of JaeEun Park Lee and rooted in Southern California. The organization focuses on enriching the community through Korean traditional dance and modern k-pop dances. KAYPA provides its members the opportunity to further educate themselves about their Korean heritage through dance, as well as share their culture with others. Students are able to build leadership and time management skills through volunteer-based performances and leadership positions.
Las Colibri
LAS COLIBRÍ, or “The Hummingbirds,” has a passion for music, beauty and girl power. These women are flying into new territory as one of the most unique ensembles of its genre by returning to the all-string instrumentation of the early 20th century mariachi tradition and the colorful, feminine costumes of the Mexican cinematic divas of the 40s and 50s.
After years of achieving much success individually as instrumentalists and vocalists in various professional arenas, these women have come together with their lovely blend of vocal harmonies, unique arrangements, and interpretation of traditional sones, huapangos and rancheras with a contemporary twist.
www.vivalatradicion.com/las-colibriacute
Le Ballet Dembaya
Le Ballet Dembaya is a professional West African drum and dance company based in Los Angeles, California. With Guinea being the company's primary country of study, they practice traditional percussive rhythms, typically played on djembe and dundun drums, accompanied by intricate, polyrhythmic dances from various regions throughout West Africa. In hopes of preserving a beautiful cultural tradition, Dembaya’s members have dedicated themselves to studying and mastering this art, while exposing its powerful healing qualities. Though they have been an official group only since 2015, the members of Le Ballet Dembaya have been drumming and dancing together since early childhood. Their parents are among some of the first generation of people in Los Angeles to study, practice and celebrate the traditions of djembe music. The artists in this company were raised together as brothers and sisters in this Los Angeles drum and dance community and often gathered to practice the West African rhythms and movement. Little did they know they would grow together to form Le Ballet Dembaya, which means “the dance of the family” in the Soussou language spoken in Guinea. This name was chosen to acknowledge the sibling-like bond among the company members, to acknowledge their parents and elders whose footsteps they are following in and to acknowledge their ancestors whom they honor each time they practice or perform this beautiful art form. Le Ballet Dembaya hopes to use this as a tool for education, healing and empowerment in greater Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Band
The Los Angeles Sheriff's Department Band is an all-volunteer group of musicians dedicated to giving their very best for the band, the Sheriff's Department and the community. Under the direction of Dan Glass, band members work hard, rehearse hard and, of course, have lots of fun. The present group of musicians traces its history to 1914 when it was first established as musical ambassadors for Los Angeles. Today the band performs for law enforcement ceremonies, Los Angeles-area schools and civic functions throughout the county.
M-Pact
Imagine the smooth soul of Sam Smith, the percussive power of Stomp, the funk and groove of Bruno Mars, the sophisticated harmonies of Take 6, and the brass bite of the Michael Bublé Big Band. Hailed as "one of the best Pop-Jazz vocal groups in the world" by the San Francisco Chronicle, m-pact is respected worldwide as a cutting edge trailblazer in the realm of vocal music. Emerging from an age of auto-tune and overproduction, this Los Angeles-based ensemble has cultivated a new generation of ears hungry for the fresh, raw power of nature's "first instrument" - the human voice.
Mostly Kosher
Leeav Sofer is recognized as one of the Jewish Journal’s "30 under 30" most accomplished professionals in Los Angeles' Jewish diaspora, performing at venues such as The Music Center's Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Staples Center. Sofer is founder of Urban Voices Project, a music outreach program for the homeless featured in the Los Angeles Times and NPR. Sofer has worked with Dick Van Dyke, Black Eyed Peas and the Rolling Stones. As Mostly Kosher's bandleader, he has met critical acclaim at Disney parks and on national tours. Sofer is on the faculty at Colburn School in Los Angeles, directing choir outreach programs.
Mt. San Antonio College Chamber Singers
The Mt. San Antonio College Chamber Singers, under the direction of Bruce Rogers, has won numerous awards and received special performance invitations throughout the world, including; performances at 11 American Choral Director Association National and Regional Conventions; and headline performances in Canada, Australia and throughout Europe. The group has received two platinum medals at the "Xinghai Prize International Choir Championships" in Guangzhou, China; was named champions at the “Grand Prix Choir Competition” in Varna, Bulgaria; received the first place prize at the "Grand Prix of Nations" in Magdeburg, Germany; won the title of Choir of the World at the “International Musical Eisteddfod Competition” in Llangollen, Wales; and has also performed as headliners on the Carnegie Hall Stage on four different occasions.
www.mtsac.edu/music/ensembles/chamber-singers
MUSYCA
MUSYCA Children's Choir is a performance-based vocal music education program for children and youth in the San Fernando Valley and the greater Los Angeles area. MUSYCA singers serve the community through their many performances and charitable events and represent Los Angeles on domestic and international tours.
Pacifíco Dance Company
Pacifíco Dance Company was founded in 1992 as a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation and reconstruction of classical and contemporary Mexican dance forms. Under Artistic direction of Adriana Astorga-Gainey, Pacifíco Dance Company has performed for audiences across the nation and internationally. Comprised of 40 accomplished dancers and musicians, the company prides itself on educating culturally diverse communities, as well as providing Hispanic audiences with a forum for developing pride in their own heritage. These brilliant artists collaborate to present both traditional and innovative works that combine the essence of traditional styles with modern dance idioms. The company has performed at many venues throughout the Southwestern United States including Utah, Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico. Pacifico was also honored to perform in residence at the world famous Kennedy Center in 2007.
Palmdale High School Chamber Singers
The Palmdale High School Chamber Singers have earned a reputation for excellence through regional, national and international choral festivals and competitions, scoring superior and gold level rankings. The Chamber Singers perform throughout the academic year for civic groups, community events and government functions.
The Los Angeles Children’s Orchestra
The Los Angeles Children’s Orchestra is a program within the Pascale Music Institute. The Los Angeles Children’s Orchestra is known nationally for the young ages of its players and the high level of their musicianship. The orchestra has a reputation for out-of-the-box performances. It made headlines for appearing on a Rose Parade float, for playing the national anthem while marching in a 4th of July parade (the conductor walked backwards), for a flashmob in Times Square and, most recently, for appearing twice on NBC’s nationally-televised America’s Got Talent show, during which they danced and did the splits while playing their instruments. Last April was the orchestra’s fourth performance at Carnegie Hall.
The Spirit Chorale of Los Angeles
The Spirit Chorale celebrates over 20 years on a journey of preserving the music of African-American composers, especially the Negro spiritual. Director and Founder Byron J. Smith has the pleasure of working with some of the most sought-after voices in Los Angeles to make up this dynamic choral ensemble.
The chorale has received rave reviews and critical acclaim for its performances before many noted audiences such as the American Choral Directors Association National Convention, Choral Conductor Guild National Convention, The National Association of Negro Musicians, Inc. National Convention, the San Diego Symphony and numerous churches and concert halls throughout the country. They have also performed and recorded with artist such as Barry Manilow, Clifton Davis, Hector Oliveras, Andre Crouch, Della Reese, Larnelle Harris and Richard Smallwood. The Spirit Chorale also prides itself on work with Wynton Marsallis on the movie Rosewood, and his All Rise project. It has also been featured on Extreme Makeovers-Home Edition and as Christmas music on the ABC television game show Jeopardy. It has had two successful tours of Europe and is scheduling a tour of Japan and its third European Tour of Germany, Italy and Spain .
The Spirit Chorale prides itself on the preservation of the Negro spiritual and programs compositions by some favorite composers including Jester Hairston, Hall Johnson, Undine Smith Moore, Moses Hogan, Richard Jackson and more. Director Smith, known for many outstanding gospel arrangements, provides these and many more uplifting arrangements to complete the program.
VOX Femina
VOX Femina Los Angeles gives women voice through the performance of quality choral literature. Diverse in culture, age, race, belief and sexual identity, it is are a chorus committed to commissioning new works and raising awareness about issues that affect the group as a family of women. Through music it aims to create a world that affirms the worth and dignity of every person.